Editing the Commercial

Today in AICE Media Studies class, I was assigned to write a blog about the editing process.Recently, my school has been experiencing technological difficulties with the computers. Although some computers are working, the majority and Pinnacle Studios are not working. Due to these computer malfunctions, my group and I cannot edit on 10/25 and 10/29 as planned.

 On 10/25, my group and I were given a portion of our class time to re-shoot some scenes and begin editing our commercial. Before the computers stopped working, my group and I were able to dump the raw footage onto the computers. Since my group and I had our own SD card,  the dumping process was easy and we wouldn't worry about our footage getting deleted or lost. After we dumped onto the school's computer, I guided Hannah how to open Pinnacle Studios and set up the program before we began editing. Once we finished importing the raw footage, we began to arrange the footage in a specific order. This is where my group and I experienced computer problems. For my group and I's commercial, we wanted to do a split screen of athletes getting ready to practice. This allowed our group to gain seconds for our 30 seconds commercial. As our teacher was showing us how to do split screen, Pinnacle Studios wouldn't work. My teacher said if I click, this certain button in Pinnacle Studios, the selected footage would appear on the screen. As Hannah was clicking the button, the footage we wanted did not appear. The only footage that appeared was the one in Track 2, not track 3. It wasn't until 15 minutes later, Pinnacle Studios was working and we were able to create a split screen. During the process of editing the split screen, our teacher instructed the entire class to dump our footage onto the a UBS drive or Google Drive. We had to end  the editing process early and begin dumping on a flash drive. We also had to change our commercial schedule to accommodate the equipment failures. If we were going to edit today, my group and I were going to: cut the raw footage, add transitions, add voice-overs, and adjust the lighting design to match the conventions of a sports commercial.

These equipment problems are causing me to be aggravated, frustrated and stressed- three emotions a "normal" teenager should be feel. Although my group and I have more time to edit, I am frustrated at the broken education system. Schools have a limited budget but, majority of the money fund programs for the sports team. The Art and Theater Departments and Technology Departments are lucky to buy a can of paint or a get a new computer.This year is very stressful because I have to teach myself AICE European  History since I didn't have an official teacher for 6 weeks. I am frustrated I cannot work because I am the type of person who likes to get things done. I am frustrated at the school's  priorities because without working computers, I cannot practice the necessary skills to pass the AICE Exam in May. I feel the school systems cause unnecessary stress to students in assignments, assessments, and grading scale. If any Broad of Education members are reading this blog, this is an example of how broken the school system is and how much change is needed. I hope the laptops that school will provide would be in good condition and working.

Filming the Commerical

Today in AICE Media Studies, my group and I filmed our commercial. I found the filming  to be a  long and tedious process- yet it was very satisfying. It was a wonderful feeling to know most of the filming for a project was filmed. I learn directors would make mistakes, face challenges on film day and it's difficulty to film a one-shot. For example, my group and I didn't anticipate to film the commercial during a P.E. class. This commercial required all my group. Hannah and Hailey were our designated camerawomen and voice-over actresses. Emma's job was to be the actor. Although my main job was to be the subject of the commercial, I felt I was co-director and organizer. Before my AICE Media Studies teacher allowed my group to film, one of my jobs was to be the organizer. The organizer doesn't have a specific job but, their main goal to make sure all the paperwork and procedures are in order. This means I was in charge of filling out the sign-out sheets for the camera, camera bag, SD-card, tripod and the pass. I had my other groupmates assist me to check if the camera equipment was in proper conditions. Once we were finished filming and after dumping the footage on the computer, I had to make sure all the camera equipment and paperwork were turned in before we were dismissed. Even though this job seemed easy, it is a crucial part in the filming. If I did not correctly fill the paperwork, followed the procedures and turned in the necessary blogs, my group and I wouldn't be able to film. This demonstrates a small role can have a great impact.

After everything was organized, my group and I were released to film. My main job was to be one of the actresses in the commercial. My job was act as a track and field athlete. I was chosen to be one of the subjects because I was more athletic than two of my groupmates. Although I pay tennis, track and field is very different from tennis even if they both contain significant amounts of running. Most of the time, I was directed by Hannah to run. One thing I did not expect was the distance I had to run. Since my group and I agreed to film multiple takes from different angles, I didn't anticipate the distance I had to run. Emma and I had to run from various locations of various distances on the track field approximately three times, at least. Once we finished filming the running takes, I had to act exhausted- which I already was- after I "completed" a lap around the track. I was required to breathe very loudly and over exaggeratedly.  I didn't have to spread mist on my face because the weather was hot and humid, which will help emphasize the importance of Gatorade. 

Another job I had was co-director. During the filming process I would co-direct the scene with Hannah. While Hannah directed the actors, I co-directed some of the camera angles and movements that were needed in the take. For example, I directed and suggested the angle the camera should be facing to efficiently produce a jump cut. I told camerawomen Hannah and Hailey some scenes should be filmed from behind the actors and in front of the actors to show the progression of the race and the progression of exhaustion in athletes. Sometimes direct my fellow actress, Emma, on the emotions and actions her character must follow. For an example, the running takes. Before we filmed the running takes, I told Emma her character must display joy and excitement because her character won the race against my character. I also advised her, her character must acted exhausted. This victory would help us create a smoother transition between scenes. 

Storyboard

Today in AICE Media Studies, my group and I planned our storyboard for our commercial. While three people were planning the storyboard, Leila was typing our the blog. Story boarding was a fun, but tedious process. My group and I met before to brainstorm a general plan for the commercial. We decided to storyboard a commercial that focus on track and field athletes and Gatorade. Also, we made a storyboard for our backup plan of a soccer and tennis commercial. The following conventions will be used in the Gatorade commercial of track and field athletes:  

Camera Angles:

• High Angle
• Low Angle 
• Eye Level

 Camera Shots:

• Established Shots
• Wide Shot 
• Long Shot
• Medium Shot
• Medium Close Up
• Two-Shot  
• Close Up

Camera Movements:

• Pan
• Tilt 
• Zoom

Sound:

• Ambient Sound 
• Voice Over
• Diegetic Sounds 
• Non-Diegetic Sound

Editing/Transitions:

• Split Screen
• Action Match 
• Eye-Line Match
• Insert/Cutaway
• Jump Cut
• Montage 

Editing Lesson Blog

Today in AICE Media Studies, I learned a significant amount of information about camera procedures and about editing. During the first ten minutes, I learned how to use a camera and it’s equipment. I learned setting up the equipment is simple. The camera is a handheld but, I can use a tripod to control the movement of the camera. The second portion of the lesson was about editing. I learned 5 steps about editing. The first step was setup. Before I can edit my footage, I had to create a folder to make it easier to export and import my footage.

 Once I created my folder , I can insert the SD card into the SD card reader to dump the footage onto the computer. This step involves the transfer of the footage from the camera or SD card onto the computer.After I dumped my footage, I can open DCIM, a section on the computer that contains all the pictures and film loaded  from the computer. Once I highlighted the necessary footage, I can transfer it into my folder and eject the SD card from the computer. The third step is importing. Importing is defined as the transfer for footage from the desktop computer to the edit software.In AICE Media Studies, I am using the Pinnacle Studios software to produced my films. Once I click Pinnacle Studios, I click: edit, file, new movie, and clear anything. This would setup the computer for editing. To import, I hit the plus sign and my folder to check the necessary media. I would use for my films. A helpful hint while using this software is to make sure the necessary media has a check mark and to have patience. After I selected the footage, I click import. This would cause the screen to upload the raw footage; raw footage is the unedited take that was filmed.

Once I finished editing and reviewing my work, I can export the film. Export is defined as the transfer of footage from the editing software to the computer. I would have to hit the file tab to save the save and label the file. Once its saved, I can transfer it to my commercial folder and hit export to NPNG 4 with SD-S quality. After it is fully exported, I can review the rendering of the film. Rendering is the process of making the footage run smoothly. This would allow me to check for mistakes.

There were a few tricks I learned during the lesson: cut, detached sound, and add voice over. The set up of the program is organized by tracks. Track 1 is used for adding titles.l Track 2 is used to edit the raw footage and track 3 is used to add music or add voice over. To cut the raw footage, I would have to use the red line to select the film. Once I selected the footage, I press the razor blade button to split and separate it to be deleted. To deattached sound: I select the footage , right click, and select detached sound. This would produced footage with no sound in the particular part. To add voice over: I take the footage of the actor doing the voice-over and separate the soundtrack from the take. Then I can delete the take while keeping the audio.

I found this editing lesson was very educating and interesting. I hoped you learned something new and intersting.

Planning Blog for Gatorade Commerical

Today in AICE Media Studies, my group and I are planning our commercial. During this class period, we were very productive and was able to think to finish our planning blogs in a timely fashion. My job for the planning blog was to type out the plan because I am the fastest typer in our group. Hannah, Emma and Hailey stablished the Mis-en -Scene used in our commercial. Hannah help come up with the schedule and the back up plan. Emma listed the costumes we should use in the commercial and Hailey listed the props we could use. Although we were able to think for most of the elements, some of them might be temporary because we are still unsure what parts we will officially used in the commercial.

Props:
Since my group and I decided to produced a Gatorade commercial, our main prop is a Gatorade drink. Other props we will include are a soccer ball, tennis racket and tennis balls.

Costumes:
In our commercial, we will have two of our group members as the subject. Our actors would wear athletic clothes. They would either wear athletic shorts or athletic leggings with light color tank top or a cotton t-shirt. They would also wear running shoes or tennis shoes. We might have our actors wear sweat bands or headbands to keep their hair out of their face. If we could not obtain sweat bands or headbands, our actors would wear their hair in a ponytail.

Schedule: 
On 10/8/19, our group research conventions and codes of sports drinks commercial.
On 10/11/19, our group establish the props, costumes, schedule, location list, and backup plan.
On 10/15/19, our group will create the storyboard for the 30 seconds commercial.
On 10/22/19, our group will film and record the necessary shots for our commercial.
On 10/24/19, our group will edit and add the final touches to the commercial.

Location List:
Our main location is the track field. At the track field, we will film our two actors before, during and after running the track. This would help emphasized the need of Gatorade to have energy at practice.Also, we would film our two actors kicking a soccer ball or doing soccer drills.

Our second location is the stairwell in front of the media center. At this location, we will film our two actors playing basketball and hitting a tennis ball against the wall. This would help us show athletes from different sports can gain energy from Gatorade.

Backup Plan:
If  there the weather is not good or preferable, then our location will be the area by the stairwell closes to building 505 or the grass area between the auditorium and building 5. We would quickly film our actors passing a soccer ball. If one of our members are absent, then one of the actors would take over the position of camerawoman.

Research Blogs: Commercial Conventions

Today in AICE Media Studies, we were assigned to produce a commercial of a product of a popular brand or a PSA about vaping prevention. My group and I decided to produce a commercial about Gatorade because we found it was easiest to do on our school's campus. There are four people in the group: Hannah, Emma, Leila and Hailey.

In Gatorade commercials, the elements of the commercial usually create a dramatic and serious tone. Most of the subjects in the commercials are wearing sports uniforms. For example, track athletes usually wear shorts, tank tops, and sweat bands on their head and around their arms. Most of the time, the commercial would film an exhausted athlete. This would emphasize the importance and the effects of the product. The establishing shot would usually establish the location of the practice. For example, they would have the establishing shot at a track field for a track athlete. Also,  sports commercials would consists of long shots and medium close ups to emphasize the athletes' actions.

The lighting in sports commercials is usually harsh, bright stage light of an athlete.This helps develop a serious tone because it makes the commercial more dramatic. The lighting design produces more shadows to make the product more appealing on screen. The color design of the commercials usually consists of dull colors with a pop of brighter colors such as reds, oranges, blues i.e., to emphasize the the product.

The sound in sports commercials is usually a voice-over expressing the feelings of the athletes. Diegetic sounds and ambient sounds are usually louder than they would normally be. For example, walking/running, the sounds of breathing, and the sound of someone drinking. In the commercials, dialogue is usually muffled but is still present. Sometimes there is an influencer giving a motivating speech or there are sounds of sport crowds in the background.

This is an example of the all the elements used in a sports commercial.

Good morning or good evening or another greeting based on time. Welcome to my first blog I've written. My name is Leila. I am in the 10th grade and I attend a high school in hot, humid Florida. I am also a student in the Cambridge Magnet Program. I do not consider myself as a normal teenager. I love to read books, write stories, and  drink coffee- especially cafe con leche. Compared to other students at my school, I am very studious, motivated, driven, and compassionate about others. I do not usually like to talk about myself but, typing on the computer grants writers like me have the freedom to write to our hearts to content without being judge by society, peers, and authority. This blog is for my AICE Media Studies class. We are required by Cambridge to create a blog to show them our progress in the class. I feel like this simple task will later be the most difficult thing. 

I do not considered myself to be a very interesting person. I know I seem self-deprecating but, I am brutally honest and can be pessimistic. But, the most interesting thing  about me is I am adopted from China. When I was thirteen months years old, I was adopted by my mother and my tia, who is a mom to me. I have a mother, tia, brother and a sister. I also, have 3 cats: Romeo, Murphy Brown and Chester. When I was growing up, I had the amazing opportunity to be surrounded in a diversity location. Part of my family immigrated from Cuba and the other part is American. A family friend of mine is Jewish and taught be how to make Jewish food. I love to cook Cuban and Caribbean food. My nanny Precious taught me everything I know. I love making pastelitos guayaba and sopa de pollo.  Even though my tia is Cuban, I do not speak fluent Spanish because my tia's priority was to have English as my first language. I am learning how to fluently speak, write and reed Spanish in school. One of my goals in life is to speak Spanish and French and learn how to sign.

As I mentioned before I am taking AICE Media Studies along with Algebra 2 Honors, Chemistry Honors,  AICE English Language, AICE European History and Vocal Essemble. The extracurricular activiies I am apart of are GSA, Vocal Essemble, and the tennis team. Whenever I can, I help with crew in my school's theatherical production.  I am the  Treasurer of my school's Gay Straight Alliance club and I am part responsible for the creation of the my school choir's mascot: an alligator.
Since I live in Florida, one might assume I spend some time at the beach but that is not a case. 

Although I've lived here for the majority of my life, I prefer to travel to a place of a cooler climate. I love cold weather and playing in snow when I traveled. Plus, I hate the beach.

 I think I should leave for now.

Until next time, 

Leila.